Nagoya:Last-minute injuries to key athletes Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi and Danish Iftikhar Muhammad Roslee derailed the national men's 4x100-metre relay team's chances of reaching the final at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games today. Azeem was injured during the 100m final on Friday, while Danish suffered an injury after the 200m final at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the duo was replaced by Mohamad Armin Zahryl Abd Latif and Muhammad Haziq Mohd Akhir, joining Pengiran Aidil Auf Hajam and Muhammad Umaira Subri in the team. Despite their efforts, the team finished fifth in Heat One with a time of 39.99 seconds, missing out on the final. China topped the heat, followed by Taiwan and Saudi Arabia.

Armin acknowledged the challenge of last-minute changes but expressed satisfaction with the team's performance. "Alhamdulillah, we finished the race well. If Azeem and Danish were here, perhaps the time could have been improved, but I am still satisfied with the team's run today," he remarked.

In the women's 4x100m event, the national team, featuring Nur Aishah Rofina Aling, Izzatul Musfirah Ahmad Kamal Azira, Fatin Ilyana Mat Nayan, and Nurul Wardatul Huwaida Mohd Hamka, finished fifth in their heat with a time of 45.24 seconds. This marked their debut on the international stage. China, Thailand, and Vietnam secured the top three positions.

Meanwhile, Umar Osman recorded a personal best of 1 minute 48.74 seconds in the men's 800m but did not advance to the final, finishing fourth in his heat. In the long jump, Andre Anura Anuar was eliminated in the qualifying round after placing eighth in Group B with a leap of 6.49 meters.